Hymn For Victory Poem by A. P. Herbert

O Lord, Who saw us deep in shame
From too much love of peace,
Bless now our arms and honoured name,
And let the conflict cease.
When all was lost, except our soul,
We were not slow to pray,
And now the drums of triumph roll
We give Thee thanks to-day.

We think no shame to love our land,
The father of the free.
We stood alone—erect we stand,
And bow to none but Thee.
But bless, O Lord, our fighting friends,
With all the friends of Light,
And where the bond of battle ends
Make fast the bond of Right.

Help us to hold our thankless trust,
To teach and toil for Man,
To lead the peoples while we must,
And free them when we can.
Thus, when we face the final test,
May we some mercy find;
At least, we sought to serve the rest
And conquered to be kind.

Bless, Lord, the men who fought the fight
By sea and land and air,
Bless all who battled for the Right
But had no sword to bear.
Give comfort to the lonely heart,
And to the sick, release,
To us, the strength to play our part,
And to our children. Peace.
May 6, 1945